Political Science Midterm

What is federalism?

A federalist system of government is a system that divides power between the national and state governments. The system is in place in a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, and India.

What are Filibusters?

A filibuster is a formal method used in the Senate to stop a bill from coming to vote. Senators can prevent a vote by making long enough speeches or by engaging in unlimited debate.

What is gridlock?

A lack of progress on enacting legislation typically by partisan and or institutional fighting.

What are indefinite terms of office?

"Until removed from office" refers to offices that don't have fixed terms; in these cases, the officeholder(s) may serve indefinitely until death, abdication, resignation, retirement, or forcible removal from office (such as impeachment).

What are the three principles of the U.S. Constitution?

1. The separation of powers 2. The system of checks and balances 3. System of federalism

Aristotle was the first political theorist to assert that a state's economic system serves as the foundation for a state's political system. What feature did he argue was needed for a democracy to flourish?

A strong middle class

What is judicial review?

Ability for the court to determine if a law is constitutional. Established by Marbury vs Madison

What were Alexander Hamilton's views on the executive?

Advocated for a life term and sweeping executive powers.

How was Aristotle's study of politics different from Plato?

Aristotle aims at studying the existing forms of political reality. Plato believes the policy can be changed. Aristotle believed that politics cannot be changed. Plato by changing the policy seeks to redefine the definition for the concept of justice and injustice.

Why does Aristotle hypothesize that a democracy needs a strong middle class?

Because it will balance the interests of the wealthy and the poor

What is left-wing populism?

Believe the interests of people are best served by expanding federal regulations over the private sectors in order to promote equality.

Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Checks legislative and executive branches of government with the power to declare legislative and/or executive acts unconstitutional. Makes laws

What role do coalitions play in a multi-party parliamentary system?

Coalition governments are the norm in most of the world's parliamentary democracies. Because these governments are composed of multiple political parties, they are subject to tensions that are largely absent under single-party government.

What is conservatism?

Conservatism is "a political philosophy that tends to support the status quo and advocates change only in moderation. Conservatism upholds the value of tradition and seeks to preserve all that is good about the past,"

How has the longer experience with democracy in western Europe been the major difference between western and central/eastern Europe?

Democracy has brought economic freedom and stability. Western Europe is also much more developed.

John Locke Social Contract Theory

For him, human nature is guided by tolerance and reason. The State of Nature is pre-political, but it is not pre-moral. Persons are assumed to be equal to one another in such a state, and therefore equally capable of discovering and being bound by the Law of Nature. Locke favored a representative government such as the English Parliament, which had a hereditary House of Lords and an elected House of Commons. But he wanted representatives to be only men of property and business.

How does fusion of power structure a parliamentary system?

Fusion of powers is a feature of some parliamentary forms of government where different branches of government are intermingled, typically the executive and legislative branches.

Why are presidential systems rarely chosen when forming a new democracy?

Gridlock and potential for authoritarian governments

What are examples of hard power and soft power?

Hard power is the use of coercion and payment. Soft power is getting others to want the outcomes you want

What did Machiavelli believe about political leaders and how leaders should make decisions?

He believed that Leaders must be logical and single-mindedly employ tactics that will enhance their power

What was Machiavelli's theory of the fox and the lion?

He believed that a leader must be as cunning as a fox and as strong as a lion

In The Republic, what did Plato argue about the business people?

He says that the craftspeople wouldn't agree to harmoniously contribute when they are not permitted to assume leadership positions

What did Machiavelli think of political power?

His opinion on political power is that power is the ability to persuade others to do what they would not do on their own. He asserts that power can be exercised through the use of force, by making threats, and/or enticing desired behavior by providing gifts.

How do parliamentary systems function vs. presidential systems?

In the presidential system, voters vote for the president and for the senate. This has a separation of powers, gridlock, independent In the parliamentary system, voters vote for the legislature (party), this party votes for the executive (prime minister). This is fusion of powers, its dependent executive

What did the Court rule in McCulloch v. Maryland?

In this case, the Supreme Court held that Congress has implied powers derived from those listed in Article I, Section 8. The "Necessary and Proper" Clause gave Congress the power to establish a national bank.

How did the 2007-08 Recession impact people around the world?

It created a large distrust between the people and the government. They believed that the government was not fulfilling their end of deal. In all the countries affected by the Great Recession, recovery was slow and uneven, and the broader social consequences of the downturn—including, in the United States, lower fertility rates, historically high levels of student debt, and diminished job prospects among young adults

What is the caste system in India?

It is not law mandated, but de facto.

What is a vote of no confidence?

It is when a prime minister is voted out of office because he did not follow through with his promises to the people. A new one is elected. a vote showing that a majority does not support the policy of a leader or governing body.

What was "Jacksonian Democracy"?

Jacksonian Democracy is the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man symbolized by American politician Andrew Jackson and his supporters.

What is judicial activism?

Judicial activism is the assertion (or, sometimes, the unjustified assertion) of the power of judicial review to set aside government acts.

What is judicial restraint?

Judicial restraint is the refusal to exercise judicial review in deference to the process of ordinary politics.

What is Harold Lasswell's definition of political science?

Lasswell viewed political science as the study of changes in the distribution of value patterns in society, and, because distribution depends on power, the focal point of his analysis was power dynamics.

What is modern liberalism?

Liberalism is "Modern liberalism is not fearful of government power. Instead, government power can be a force for good, limiting the worst conditions of poverty, illiteracy, racism, exploitation,"

Explain James Madison's thinking in Federalist No. 10.

Madison was chiefly concerned with whether our system of government could promote both majority rule and minority rights.

What is nationalism?

Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation or nation-state and holds that such obligations outweigh other individual or group interests.

What is normative thinking?

Normative theory is any theory that examines the way something "should" or "ought" to be rather than focusing on the way something actually "is"

What impact did Locke have on American Independence?

Often credited as a founder of modern "liberal" thought, Locke pioneered the ideas of natural law, social contract, religious toleration, and the right to revolution that proved essential to both the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution that followed.

What is a system of government in which a small group of people exercise control over the masses?

Oligarchy

What is gerrymandering?

Partisan gerrymandering is the act of dividing congressional districts to give one political party an unfair advantage in congressional elections

How do demographics influence how people vote?

People are most likely to vote based on race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Minorities are more likely to vote democratic.

What does Plato think of democracy as a political system? Why?

Plato does not believe that democracy is the best form of government. According to him, equality brings power-seeking individuals who are motivated by personal gain. They can be highly corruptible, and this can eventually lead to tyranny

Why was Plato concerned about tyrants?

Plato said The tyrannical man is the son of the democratic man. He is the worst form of man due to his being the most unjust and thus the furthest removed from any joy of the true kind. He is consumed by lawless desires which cause him to do many terrible things such as murdering and plundering.

What is political power?

Political power is the ability to control the behavior of people and/or influence the outcome of events.

What is political socialization, and how are people socialized?

Political socialization is the process by which citizens develop the values, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions that enable them to support the political system. People are socialized by their upbringing, religion, experiences, friends, family, gender, race, sexual orientataion, and socioeconomic status.

What are the pros and cons of unicameral vs. bicameral legislatures?

Pros of unicameral: cheaper to run, easier to maintain Pros of bicameral: A bicameral legislature provides for more careful and deliberate consideration of legislation. Action of the two houses required for passage prevents bills from being quickly passed under the sway of emotions.

Jean Jacques Rousseau Social Contract Theory

Rousseau proclaimed the natural goodness of man and believed that one man by nature is just as good as any other. He believed in a direct democracy in which everyone voted to express the general will and to make the laws of the land. Rousseau had in mind a democracy on a small scale, a city-state like his native Geneva.

What are separation of powers?

Separation of powers: a system of government that is divided between a legislative branch, an executive branch, and a judicial branch of government.

How is fusion of power different from separation of powers in a presidential system?

Separation of powers: an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies. Fusion of powers: What is the main idea behind fusion of power in a parliamentary system? The executive is highly responsive to the legislative branch.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

Shay's rebellion was an armed insurrection in Massachusetts led by Revolutionary War hero Daniel Shay. The rebellion targeted attacks on courthouses in an attempt to prevent farm foreclosures

How did Shays' Rebellion impact the writing of the Constitution?

Shays's rebellion led Washington and other Nationalists— including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison—to proclaim the Articles of Confederation inadequate and urge support for the Constitution produced by the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

What is the social contract theory?

Social contract theory typically provides 1. An observation on human nature 2. Observation on the problems that arise in the absence of government 3. A recommendation on a form of government best able to solve these problems

What is right-wing populism?

Tend to stress nationalistic and anti-elitist themes and are inclined to believe internal organizations, trade agreements, and illegal immigration hurts the nation and it's working class.

What are the reasons for an increase in nationalism and populism throughout the world?

The 2007-2008 recession is a big reason why the idea of fending for yourself became so popular. It also has to do with a rift in economics, environmental factors, and issues regarding income.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides comprehensive civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

How can the U.S. first constitutional form of government, the Articles of Confederation, be described?

The Articles of Confederation established a weak national government comprising a one-house legislature. The Congress had the power to declare war, sign treaties, and settle disputes between states, though it could not tax its states or regulate trade.

What was the Declaration of Sentiments? And, what did it argue for?

The Declaration of Sentiments begins by asserting the equality of all men and women and reiterates that both genders are endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It argues that women are oppressed by the government and the patriarchal society of which they are a part.

How did the Framers view democracies?

The Framers and Founders believed that democracy would either lead to tyranny or aristocracy. To prevent this, the United States can maintain a balanced and fair government.

How is the American Congress different from the British Parliament?

The US Congress differs from the British Parliament because there is a balance of power between houses, represents all people (districts and entire states), does not have direct tie to executive seats, and representatives have set election times.

Why is judicial review the most important power of US Federal Courts?

The federal courts' most important power is that of judicial review, the authority to interpret the Constitution. When federal judges rule that laws or government actions violate the spirit of the Constitution, they profoundly shape public policy.

What were the intentions of the Framers?

The framers of the Constitution wanted to ensure cooperation among the states, and between the states and the national government. The framers hoped to create a system of government based on fair laws that apply equally to all people. The framers wanted the government to ensure peace and order.

What checks does the Congress possess over the President?

The legislative branch has the power to approve Presidential nominations, control the budget, and can impeach the President and remove him or her from office.

What was argued in Federalist No. 10?

The main point of Federalist Paper 10 is that a strong federal government can protect liberty because it guards against the dangers of control by a narrow interest. Madison also called it "faction."

Thomas Hobbes Social Contract Theory

The natural condition of mankind, according to Hobbes, is a state of war in which life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" because individuals are in a "war of all against all". Hobbes promoted that monarchy is the best form of government and the only one that can guarantee peace.

How does the U.S. Electoral College system work?

The number of electors each state gets is equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress. A total of 538 electors form the Electoral College. Each elector casts one vote following the general election. The candidate who gets 270 votes or more wins.

According to Aristotle, what quality separates excellent political systems from dreadful ones?

The pursuit of justice

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

The states themselves had too much power, it created a weak central government

What are demographics?

The statistical aspects of human populations (such as age, income, or race)

What is identity politics?

The tendency to form political alliances based on one's race, gender, ethnicity, and or sexual orientation.

How do demographics explain voting behavior?

The three cleavage-based voting factors focused on in research are class, gender and religion.

Why were the founding fathers concerned about a "democracy"?

They worried that the US would fall the same fate as Athens or Sparta, that tyrants would begin their political careers as democratic reformers

In The Republic, Plato argues that the guardians should rule the republic because they have which three traits?

Wisdom, courage, and temperance

How does the number of women in a legislature impact policy-making?

Women in states with the highest percentages of female representatives introduce and pass more priority bills dealing with issues of women, children, and families than men in their states and more than their female counterparts in low representation legislatures.

Unicameral legislatures

a legislature that has one house or chamber

Bicameral legislatures

a legislature that has two houses, an upper house and a lower house.

Legislative Branch (House of Representatives and the Senate)

checks the executive branch through 1. It's impeachment powers 2. It's ability to overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote, 3. The power of the purse, and 4. The Senate's Power to ratify presidential treaties and confirm presidential appointments. Checks the judicial branch through impeachment powers and the Senate's power to confirm judicial appointments. Interprets laws

Executive Branch (President)

checks the legislative branch with veto powers. Checks the judiciary with the power to appoint the federal judges. Enforces laws

What is an independent executive?

the president is an independent executive, they don't answer to anyone